Donald Bruce Leonard

It is with heavy hearts and profound sorrow, we announce the passing of Donald Bruce Leonard on June 19, 2025, at age 96.

Born on March 17, 1929 in Bristol, VA to the late Grover Cleveland and Lena Crowe Leonard he was the sixth of seven children. First employed at age 15, he worked as a mechanic at a local gas station and general store. He proudly served in the United States Air Force as a Staff Sergeant from 1950 to 1954. Graduating from Kings College in Tennessee with a degree in accounting, he was employed as an accountant at Grinnell in Cleveland, NC where he worked for over 30 years.

Don enjoyed collecting antiques and in previous years he could frequently be found at auctions, estate sales and yard sales adding to his collection. Other activities that he enjoyed were reading his newspaper, gardening, landscaping, bass fishing and hunting. Don was a master of many trades possessing many valuable skills, as we never knew to call a serviceman, handyman or technician, we just called Dad. Don enjoyed the simple pleasure in life, spending time with his family and reminiscing about family history. He liked nothing more than a good two-hour meal and conversation while surrounded by family.

Often the highlight of his day was a visit from his closest friend and neighbor, Darrell Connor. The family would like to give a special thanks to Darrell for his kindness, caring, and dependability in time of need an all the joy he brought to Don's life.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his cherished wife, Betty J. Leonard, as well as four brothers and two sisters.

Don will be lovingly remember by: his four children, Donna Shuffler and husband Ed of Concord, Kim Grenoble and husband Alex of Salisbury, Dereck Leonard and wife Kim of Rockwell, and Amber Lomax and husband David of Spencer; grandchildren, Jarrod Shuffler and wife Melissa, Marissa Porter and husband Matt, Josh Grenoble, Jacob Grenoble, Luke Grenoble, Justin Leonard and Jade Lomax; two great grandchildren Zachary Porter and Avery Porter and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Don's life will be held on Saturday, June 28, at 3:30 pm at Saint Matthews Lutheran Church, 9275 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be in Don's honor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (https//www.stjude.org/donate).

Powles Staton Funeral Home, is assisting the Leonard family. Online condolences may be made at www.powlesfuneralhome.com.